pas trop mal
The English phrase "not too bad" can be translated into French as pas trop mal.
pas trop mal is used to express that something is satisfactory or acceptable. It can function as an adverbial phrase to describe how an action is performed or as an adjective-like phrase to describe a state or a quality.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of pas (not), trop (too/too much) and mal (badly/badly).
Which one should you use?
While pas mal means "not bad" and often implies that something is quite good, adding trop to create pas trop mal slightly softens the sentiment to mean "not too bad" or simply "satisfactory".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the expression Pas pire is commonly used to mean "not too bad".
How does it change in a sentence?
In spoken French, the formal negation particle ne is almost always omitted. Therefore, you should say pas trop mal instead of using the full ne… pas trop mal construction.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Tu n'es pas trop mal.You're not too bad-looking.This sentence uses pas trop mal to describe someone's appearance.Tatoeba #11436248 by lbdx, translation #5737515 by CM
- « Comment ça va ? » « Pas trop mal. »"How's it going?" "Not too bad."This sentence uses pas trop mal as a response to a greeting.Tatoeba #479205 by sacredceltic, translation #466536 by CM
- Le film était pas malThe movie was not too bad
- Comment ça va? – Ça va, pas trop mal!How are you? – Not too bad!
- Ce nouveau film est pas trop mal.This new movie is not too bad.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are discussing a restaurant they recently visited.
- GabrielLe repas était comment ?How was the meal?
- ManonC'était pas trop mal, franchement.It was not too bad, honestly.
- GabrielTu veux y retourner ?Do you want to go back there?
- ManonPeut-être, mais je ne suis pas emballée.Maybe, but I am not thrilled.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mal, pas, trop, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
